Faulkner 1 output has been increased 3MW to 30.5MW (net). To allow for increased brine production and plant output, NGP constructed a pipeline and is injecting 500 gallons per minute (gpm) of spent geothermal brine from the plant into existing Well 44-14. Converting the unutilized well for injection was achieved at a cost of less than $150,000, the company said.
Well 55-15, planned as an injection well north of the existing injection field, was spudded on November 20, 2009, and has encountered a highly permeable upper injection zone between 4800 and 5400 feet depth. Based on testing with the well completed to 5962 feet depth, independent reservoir consultant GeothermEx estimates that the injection capacity of the upper zone is 2250 gpm at the wellfield injection pressure.
Temperatures measured at the bottom of the well below the permeable zone show a positive thermal gradient with a maximum recorded temperature of 395°F, suggesting the possibility of hotter permeable zones at greater depth. Drilling at 55-15 has been resumed in the anticipation of intersecting additional injection zones.
NGP is concurrently drilling a moderate-diameter injection test well (58-11) northeast of the current production field. Additional wells are planned in the current programme, funded out of a recent $57.9m grant from the US Department of Treasury.
Brian Fairbank, president and CEO of Nevada Geothermal Power, said: “NGP is very pleased to have achieved a new benchmark level of production of over 30MW (net) of clean renewable power from our showcase geothermal power plant. Interim drilling results forecasting new deep injection capability at Well 55-15 will lead to significantly increased power production and bring us closer to our ultimate goal of 47MW (net) for the Faulkner 1 plant.”
